[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 194 (Wednesday, December 14, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CELEBRATING THE GENEROSITY OF MR. RALPH ROTELLA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN KATKO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 14, 2022

  Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the generosity of 
Ralph Rotella, owner of Discount Shoe Repair in Syracuse and driving 
force behind Ralphy's Rescue Mission Shoe Drive.
  In 2010, Ralph Rotella was inspired to start Ralphy's Rescue Mission 
Shoe Drive after seeing a homeless person outside of his shop, walking 
in the cold with their toe sticking out. He made the decision to 
provide that person with a pair of usable shoes. From that day, Ralph 
began annually collecting, repairing, and donating shoes to the 
Syracuse Rescue Mission to help more people in-need.
  In Ralph's first year of operating the Shoe Drive, he donated less 
than 100 pairs of shoes. Each year since then, he has steadily expanded 
his operation, and in 2021, donated 37,370 pairs of shoes--one of the 
largest donations the Rescue Mission has ever received.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in 
honoring Ralph Rotella for his determined efforts to aid underserved 
members of our Central New York community.

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